I'll take Nasa and Cannondale's word over yours on how to use the verb.

From Nasa...
Hermetically sealed vibration damper: Simple fluidic vibration damper for installation at each pivotal mounting between gimbals isolates inertial measuring units from external vibration and other disruptive forces. Installation between each of the three gimbal axes can dampen vibration and shock in any direction while permitting free rotation of the gimbals.

From the cannondale site...
(Synapse Active Vibration Elimination) is a Cannondale-exclusive technology. The carbon fiber chain stays and fork blades have been strategically molded into a unique, tapered shape. When combined with varying wall thicknesses, fiber layers and fiber angles, it creates enough flex to dampen road vibration.

I happen to agree with you however just because NASA and Cannondale use a particular term doesn't mean that they use it correctly. Just sayin'.

Like I said, every text/book I have read on the subject has used the word damping. Yes you can do a literature search and find the term dampening used. The words have begun to be used by the general public as synonyms. I race motorcycles. I know several suspension engineers, they all use the term damping. I have heard others who should know better used the term dampen.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...04/ai_n9167541

But what do I know, I am just a lowly physicist.

As far a NASA, give this a read http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/...Appendix-F.txt
you could not pay me enough money to ride on anything designed/maintained by them.

True, but if the definition in the dictionary fits and the brains in the aeronautical/engineering field feel comfortable using it then as far as I'm concerned its good to go. To be perfectly honest I could care less but I was just posting because grolby got his panties all twisted in a bunch about it.

I will accept that damping may be the first choice and most appropriate term to use. Can we stop the threadjacking and all be friends again?

So you do care?

http://incompetech.com/Images/caring.png

In that case please move me up the caring continuum to "a little". I want to make sure I leave a buffer just in case I want to move down to zero at a later date.

Thanks for all suggestions. I ended up getting the FSA Wing Pro bars and I am very happy with them. Flat top, smooth transition to hoods and curved drops. Very comfy and cheaper than the EC-90 SLX3.
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/DSC_1885.jpg

The fit of the bar is the most important in my book. Shape, width, etc. is what will decide how comfortable it is. I have two bars from the same manufacturer that are the same exact shape. One is aluminum and one is carbon... I got the carbon for free and paid for the aluminum (it just worked out that way) and I can't tell the difference.